News

Have We Forgotten about Vitamin D Deficiency, While Eating Everything That Runs Across the Serengeti, Instead of Gluten-free Spaghetti?

10 Jun 2013

But will Guerrilla marketing virtually point the finger towards “open” innovation? It’s not even a Vitamin! It’s a hormone, produced in the body, and sufficient levels for health cannot be obtained from outside sources – no matter how many Mackerel or Salmon tendons you eat naturally, or encapsulated in pills or tablets. Historically recognized as the […]

Have We Forgotten about Vitamin D Deficiency, While Eating Everything That Runs Across the Serengeti, Instead of Gluten-free Spaghetti?

But will Guerrilla marketing virtually point the finger towards “open” innovation?

It’s not even a Vitamin! It’s a hormone, produced in the body, and sufficient levels for health cannot be obtained from outside sources – no matter how many Mackerel or Salmon tendons you eat naturally, or encapsulated in pills or tablets.

Historically recognized as the Sunshine Vitamin, most folks take it for granted and assume it to be plentiful in a healthy diet. Unfortunately this is not true and hence the onset of a Vitamin D deficiency epidemic, sweeping through with a veil of ignorance with explanations like the “Silent Killer “as in Osteoporosis.

The answer in the future may be a therapeutic approach, using it as a drug and applied in a multi-functional manner, which at first glance seems like a backward step for the Nutraceutical wave of growth and success. This is only a blip, as life expectancy increases partnered with quality of life, and prevention of illness and/or disease remains the perfect answer.

In fact we cannot be too sure of what we are eating today, and who knows what surprises lay ahead as we navigate our way through a field of constant companions, of all kinds of which are either contaminating us or contributing towards illness or disease.

Maybe we should leave the bovine to the baby cows and infants, and welcome the new opportunities and growth that will stem from events/shows, which continue to increase at an exponential rate, with geography presenting no boundaries. As new markets emerge, the untapped potential of food ingredients globally will be unveiled.

Food is no longer just a means of survival. It now displays a multi-faceted range of dimensions and this is being reflected in modern methods of communication. Virtual events have arrived and apart from a low carbon footprint, and the parallels with conscious consumption and sustainability as key benefits, the great concept of the events is how amazing it is that at any time I can look in one place when I need a new idea or inspiration.

The real question is whether employees are going to take the time to browse the stands and listen to the wisdom imparted. Also, will virtual solutions detract from good old-fashioned networking? There are floors and setbacks and rather than a replacement, a physical exhibition will probably be inaugurated at the same time as its digital version.  The physical and virtual world will interlace as they mutually feed each other, while replicating each other they will explore their own evolving language.

Other media will be open to change in the process of profound transformation. TV and Cinema are no longer the hegemonic media and where multiplication of screens favoured by the impact of ITC’s expresses the emergence of new and unexpected protagonists.

Guerrilla marketing and digital tactics may dominate consumer advertising, with people being targeted from online histories and profiling, however the faithful print version of the Trade journal is irreplaceable and here to stay for a few more years to come!

The finger then points towards open innovation and dialogue, as looking outside a company’s four walls for ideas and new thinking. Only a very few companies have recognised the need to go outside for innovation. Those who do, soon realize that loss of control of their brand’s destiny brings a greater payback, because they are truly engaging with people giving their consumers a stake in and influence over the brand.

Related categories

Related news

ChefPaw’s home-cooked pet food device taps into personalisation trend

ChefPaw’s home-cooked pet food device taps into personalisation trend

10 Mar 2026

ChefPaw’s kitchen appliance allows pet owners to create home-cooked pet food, saving them time and money while maximising nutrition for each individual pet, it says.

Read more 
‘Only … Ingredients’ but more food waste?

‘Only … Ingredients’ but more food waste?

5 Mar 2026

British retailer Marks and Spencer has introduced 12 new products to its 'Only … Ingredients' range, as brands are advised to focus on “transparent communication”.

Read more 
Are consumers willing to pay for innovative sustainable foods?

Are consumers willing to pay for innovative sustainable foods?

4 Mar 2026

Innovative sustainable animal products and plant-based alternatives can plug health and environmental concerns – but consumer willingness to pay for these products remains variable, finds an EU-funded study.

Read more 
Lidl top for climate progress – but gaps remain in the retail sector

Lidl top for climate progress – but gaps remain in the retail sector

2 Mar 2026

Lidl is “setting the pace” in Europe's transition towards sustainable food systems. How did other European supermarkets score, according to Superlist Environment Europe 2026?

Read more 
What’s the best positioning for healthy indulgent products?

What’s the best positioning for healthy indulgent products?

27 Feb 2026

For healthy indulgent products, messaging around enjoyment resonates more strongly than “guilt-free”, according to a study by EIT Food.

Read more 
How the industry is fighting food fraud in 2026

How the industry is fighting food fraud in 2026

24 Feb 2026

Herbs, spices, and white powders are highly at risk of food fraud – but the industry is embracing food fingerprinting coupled with artificial intelligence to fight it.

Read more 
Understanding supplement trends in India

Understanding supplement trends in India

20 Feb 2026

Sixty percent of Indian consumers are interested in branded supplements with many preferring smaller pack sizes, according to a global survey.

Read more 
Canada adopts front-of-package nutrition warning labels

Canada adopts front-of-package nutrition warning labels

19 Feb 2026

Food and drink products in Canada must now carry warning labels for high saturated fat, sugar, and sodium content – a move designed to help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.

Read more 
Five trends shaping the future of ingredients

Five trends shaping the future of ingredients

17 Feb 2026

Euromonitor identifies five consumer demands forcing the industry to redesign products from the inside out in 2026.

Read more 
Vitafoods Innovation Awards calling for bright ideas

Vitafoods Innovation Awards calling for bright ideas

10 Feb 2026

The Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards 2026 promote nutraceutical NPD and innovation. Here, some of this year’s jury members discuss what they will be looking out for.

Read more